The initiative reportedly took place on Tuesday in the parish of São Brás, within the municipality of Ribeira Grande, during religious festivities, where “several children and young people were encouraged by adults” to partake in what is described as a “cruel and barbaric” practice. It involved two young pigs being subjected to acts deemed as animal mistreatment.
The PAN party reported receiving multiple video images circulating on social media, depicting a group of children being encouraged by adults to engage in the capture of two young black pigs.
The footage shows the young animals being placed in a barrel, released, and while attempting to escape, the children—urged on by adult spectators—grab the animals, push them to the ground, hold them by the front legs while suspended in the air, and finally, throw one of the animals to the ground.
PAN/Azores’ parliamentary representation expressed its “vehement repudiation of the cruel and barbaric practice” known as “catching the pig,” stating that the animals “were subjected to violent acts, which negatively impressed the population.”
“The following day, PAN/Azores received complaints about this situation, which represents a grotesque scene and a clear case of animal mistreatment where several children were encouraged by adult spectators to participate,” stated PAN/Azores deputy Pedro Neves, as quoted in the note.
The party reiterated its condemnation of this practice, deemed a “symbol of civilizational regression,” noting that “not infrequently, the animals are euthanized at the end of the activity because they are not given the necessary veterinary care to treat the inflicted injuries, nor would the treatment allow them to recover.”
The party also highlighted the “extreme severity” of involving children in the event.
PAN informed the relevant authorities to investigate the situation and brought it to the attention of the Commission for the Protection of Children and Young People at Risk, understanding that the participation of children and young people in this activity “can lead to the normalization of violent acts, especially if perpetrated against the most vulnerable.”
The PAN/Azores also notified the Diocese of Angra, appealing for its intervention to “prevent these sad episodes from recurring during religious festivities.”
